The Universe: Hello Alexandra! Are we disturbing you?

Alexandra: Oh no! I’m just reading an “old-friend” book.

U: Books are indeed friends that deserve our time and attention. May we ask about your old-friend book?

A: Of course! It’s The Writings of Florence Scovel Shinn. She was an American metaphysical teacher in the first half of the 20th century.

U: Ah yes, we remember Florence. She was exceptionally awake to how life works and taught its lessons in a very approachable manner.

A: Yes. I feel a great affinity with her. I feel we’d be best friends if we lived at the same time and in the same place.

U: I’m sure she’d be delighted to know that the wisdom and truth she left behind in her books have found a home in your heart.

A: That’s a lovely thought. Thank you! I first read her 17 years ago, and several times since. Now, thanks I’m sure to my growth last year, her words are falling on far more fertile ground. I’ve started applying what she says in my prayers.

U: Do you know that your whole life is a prayer, in the sense that you radiate throughout the Universe the vibration of every thought, word, feeling, and their subsequent actions?

A: Right. I get that now. No wonder that in the past I kept producing “more of the same.” I didn’t have the inner strength to rise above my current conditions by affirming something more positive that didn’t yet exist. I often felt helpless to change my life, or to make my dreams come true.

U: Do you understand that those feelings of helplessness and hopelessness are delusions?

A: I do now. And recently I read that Buddhism regards delusions as an illness! Nichiren Daishonin taught:

“The Buddha took the teachings that he had preached in the course of his lifetime, ground and sifted them, blended them together, and compounded an excellent medicine, the pill of the Mystic Law. Regardless of whether one understands it or not, so long as one takes the pill, can one fail to be cured of the illness of delusion? ” (The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, Vol 1-133)

A: I’m glad to know I’m taking the excellent medicine every time I chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with focus and with faith. And because I’m super aware now that I have a “silent listener” – my subconscious mind – as Florence put it, or an Eighth Consciousness, as Buddhism puts it, I’m training myself to assert positive things all the time. It makes such a difference! One day last month I was feeling so tired and drained and I nevertheless wanted to encourage a young lady friend of mine. I poured myself into doing so, and guess what? I felt so encouraged and full of energy by the end of our conversation!

U: That is good.

A: Florence said: “You can control any situation if you first control yourself.” And controlling myself means being self-aware (not self-conscious!) and choosing carefully, wisely, the words that I think and speak.

This reminds me of a famous quote from Nichiren. He urged:

Become the master of your mind rather than let your mind master you. (WND 1-502)

I couldn’t do it before. I wanted to, and I tried, but I couldn’t sustain it. Since I’ve been affirming every day that I can see my Buddha nature, however, I’ve become a much better master of my mind. And when I slip back into old negative thought patterns – bearing a grudge, or blaming, for example – I feel icky, which acts like an alarm bell, and I change my thoughts. Like a chiropractic adjustment for my mind!

The Universe: We are happy to see you start taking control of yourself, and therefore coming into the power of your mind, which is your birthright.

Alexandra: So am I! Thank you!

Photo by Dario Valenzuela on Unsplash